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Novel Catalog
Chapter 8
Veronica’s heart raced as she faced Matthew, whose chilling presence made her feel like she was staring down a demon. His cold demeanor left her feeling like she was on the brink of death for the first time. Instinctively, she nodded vigorously. “Yes, I want to prove it. But how?”
Matthew’s stony expression softened, just slightly, and a barely perceptible smile tugged at his lips. He leaned in close, his breath grazing her neck. The sensation sent a shiver down her spine, a mixture of unease and… something darker. She tensed, waiting for what he would say next.
“I have a way to settle this once and for all,” he murmured, his voice dangerously calm.
“What way?” Veronica whispered, her voice betraying her growing panic.
Matthew paused, savoring her distress, clearly enjoying the control he had over her. Veronica was on the edge of her seat, her heart pounding in her chest, waiting for his next words.
His eyes glinted with amusement. “Cutting off your womb.”
Veronica recoiled in horror, stumbling backward into the sofa. Her breath caught in her throat. “M-My womb?” She barely managed to keep the tremor out of her voice. “No, don’t do that! I don’t want to!” The thought of losing her ability to have children, of being rendered sterile forever, was unfathomable. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—agree to that.
“Are you a demon, Matthew?” she whispered, her fear growing by the second. She had always been strong, always had a backbone, but in front of this man, she felt like nothing more than prey. The coldness in his eyes reminded her that he had the power to crush her without a second thought. Killing her would be as simple as swatting a fly.
Matthew simply clicked his tongue and dialed a number on his phone. “Thomas, contact the hospital. Prepare for a hysterectomy.”
Veronica’s heart sank. Before Matthew could finish the call, she jumped to her feet and snatched the phone from his hand, ending the call with trembling hands. “What gives you the right to do this? Do you think you can just defy the law because you’re rich?” Her voice was a mixture of anger and desperation. Pretending to be weak, pitiful, and innocent doesn’t work with this guy. She had underestimated how dangerous he truly was.
Matthew didn’t even flinch. He took his phone back from her without a second thought, his eyes dark and unreadable. “We’ll see whether I can do it or not once we try,” he said, his voice smooth, dangerous.
Without another word, he walked past her and toward the door, his every step exuding authority.
“Wait!” Veronica cried, desperation lacing her voice. She grabbed his arm, dropping to her knees with a thud. “Please, don’t do this! No one knows if I’m pregnant or not, but if I am, I’ll have an abortion. Just don’t—don’t take away my womb.”
Her voice broke on the last word, and for the first time, her usual pride crumbled. She wasn’t about to let him take something so vital from her, not without a fight.
Matthew raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Begging for mercy, huh? A moment ago you were fuming with indignation.” He grasped her chin with his fingers, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. “Which side of you should I believe?”
Veronica’s eyes burned with fury. “We should have some decency, Young Master Matthew! You’re the one who was drugged by your grandmother and forced yourself on me! I’m the victim here! Why should I bear the consequences?”
Matthew’s interest seemed to heighten. He was fascinated by her shifting emotions—one moment pitiful, the next, burning with indignation. She was a puzzle, a challenge.
“Because I’m rich,” Matthew replied with chilling simplicity, “and I can do whatever I want. That’s why.”
His words stung, and Veronica knew there was no reasoning with him. He was a man who could make his own rules, a man who could get away with anything, as long as he had money and power.
“Stay here. Don’t go anywhere,” he added, as he turned to leave. “Someone will pick you up for the surgery later.”
Before she could react, Matthew pulled a tissue from his pocket and wiped his hand, the one that had been holding her chin, as if it were stained. He tossed the tissue in the trash and exited the room, leaving her behind.
“Matthew! Don’t walk away!” Veronica called, her voice breaking with frustration. “Let’s talk this through, okay? Don’t leave—Matthew, you’re an asshole! You’re a jerk!” Her words echoed in the empty room, but he didn’t even flinch, disappearing behind the elevator doors.
Veronica stood up, tears stinging her eyes. She slumped down on the sofa, brushing invisible dust off her knees. “Damn that shameless jerk…” she muttered, shaking with rage. She needed to get out of here.
She reached for her phone, only to realize it was gone. That bastard must’ve taken it when he was near me, she thought bitterly.
“I can’t just sit here and do nothing,” Veronica murmured to herself. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind. She needed a plan. She needed to escape.
Looking around the lavish apartment, she saw only two ways out: the elevator or the locked door at the end of the hallway, guarded by two burly bodyguards. She couldn’t go that way. The elevator was her only chance.
A wicked idea struck her. She hurried into the bedroom, grabbed a lighter, and wound tissue paper around the mop. She set the tissue on fire and aimed it at the fire sprinkler on the ceiling. In seconds, the sprinklers activated, dousing the entire room with water. Simultaneously, the smoke alarms went off, blaring throughout the entire floor.
Hearing the alarms, the bodyguards rushed in, panic written on their faces. “What’s going on? Is there a fire?”
Veronica feigned innocence. “I don’t know! It’s so scary…”
“Go check the other rooms, Ben. I’ll check here,” one of them ordered.
The moment they left, Veronica sprang into action, slipping past them and heading straight for the elevator. She punched the button for the ground floor and, as soon as the doors opened, slipped inside.
When the elevator doors closed behind her, Veronica breathed a sigh of relief. She’d made it out.
In the taxi, she gave the driver an address, but halfway there, she changed her mind. “Take me to Dragon’s Creek Villa instead,” she instructed.
Her mind raced. She had intended to visit her adoptive parents at Saint Hospital, but she now needed money to escape. Back when she had donated bone marrow to the Larson family’s youngest son, her biological father had promised her 50,000 when they left Bloomstead. It was a small amount, but it could help her get out of town and take her adoptive parents with her.
A half hour later, Veronica arrived at Dragon’s Creek Villa. She paid the driver and walked up to the gate, pressing the doorbell. A moment later, the gate creaked open, revealing Rachel, her biological mother. Dressed in an elegant royal blue V-neck shirt and high-waisted pants, Rachel didn’t look a day over 40.
Rachel frowned when she saw Veronica. “What are you doing here?”
Veronica cut to the chase. “Where’s Floch? I need to talk to him.”
Rachel’s expression darkened. “Watch your tone. How dare you call him by his name?”
Veronica rolled her eyes. “I can’t call him by his name? Well, then where’s your old man? I need to talk to him.”
Rachel’s scorn was palpable. “You… Hmph! No manners, just like I always knew.”
Veronica’s jaw clenched. “Manners come from your parents. I’ve survived without any, so why should I care about them now?”
She had expected this, but it still hurt to be treated this way. No matter how much time passed, she would never be accepted by her biological parents. It was clear that Rachel and Floch had no intention of being a real family to her.
